Study researchers hope to learn how children’s genes and their environments work together to affect their health and development. The Study will look at environment not just as air, water, and dust, but also as factors like what children eat, how they are cared for, the safety of their neighborhoods, and how often they see a doctor.
The National Children’s Study will also look at important health issues such as:
- Birth defects and pregnancy-related problems
- Injuries
- Asthma
- Obesity and diabetes
- Behavior, learning, and mental health disorders
Designed as a longitudinal cohort study, the National Children’s Study will examine participants’ growth and development over time. The results of the Study will provide unique, first-of-its-kind information valuable to scientists, health care providers, policy makers, and families and caregivers.